MENTAL MODEL: LIMITED DURATION

GIVEN A CHOICE BETWEEN ACTION AND INACTION, A LIMITED TIME TO RESPOND INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD THAT PEOPLE WILL PARTICIPATE.

How might this apply to your business?
While commonly used to promote purchasing behaviors, limited durations can also be used to shape day-to-day behaviors. Set limited times when certain actions can be taken. Make rewards available at specific times or have options that disappear if no action is taken within a specific period of time.

See also: Loss Periodic Events, Loss Aversion, Reputation, Status, Achievements, Feedback Loops, Scarcity, Self-Expression

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In the whirl of our day-to-day interactions, it’s all too easy to forget the nuances that distinguish great teams, great cultures, and great products/services.

Mental Model Flash Cards bring together insights from psychology into an easy reference and brainstorming tool. Each card describes one insight into human behavior and suggests ways to apply this to your teams as well as the design of your products and services.